This memorial page is dedicated to David Semple, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Name: Semple
First names: David
Nickname: –
Date of birth: –
Place of birth: Edinburgh
Residence: 60 Loganlea Road, Craigentinny, Edinburgh
Rank / Occupation: Private
Identity tag: 14709174
Unit: King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 6th Battalion
Date of death: 2 November 1944
Place of death: Neerkant
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Mierlo War Cemetery
Memorial site: –

Additional information

Grave location: V. C. 3.

Aged 18. Son of Robert Murray Semple and Mary Malcolm Semple, of Edinburgh. His brother, Private Robert Malcolm Semple, was killed in action on 15 December 1941 in Hong Kong.

David Semple’s field grave was situated near house number N. 32a (later Broek 15, now Heitrak-Dorpsstraat) in Neerkant.

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action